NBA Draft: Lakers open toward how they will use seventh overall draft pick

Plenty of scenarios could emerge that dictate how the Lakers will use their seventh overall draft pick in 2014 NBA Draft on Thursday.

They could trade it in hopes of obtaining multiple mid to late first-round draft picks, or a more developed player than an unseasoned rookie would likely offer. They may keep their draft pick in the hopes that Kansas center Joel Embiid becomes available since teams drafting ahead of the Lakers may feel concerned over his surgery on Friday to repair a stress fracture in his right foot.

If Embiid’s injuries and subsequent recovery appear to be too much of a risk, the Lakers could opt for a safer route in selecting a promising prospect that may take longer to develop. Such options would likely involve either a point guard (Australia’s Dante Exum, Oklahoma State’s Marcus Smart, Louisiana-Lafayette guard Elfrid Payton) or forward (Kentucky’s Julius Randle, Arizona’s Aaron Gordon, Indiana’s Noah Vonleh).

The Lakers are “open to anything,” said a person familiar with the Lakers’ thought process.

The Los Angeles Times reported the Lakers’ efforts to acquire Klay Thompson from Golden State for their seventh overall pick as part of a three-team trade proposal that would send Minnesota All-Star forward Kevin Love to the Warriors. Lakers and Warriors sources declined to confirm the Times’ report.

But a person familiar with the Warriors’ thinking sounded skeptical they would seriously entertain trade offers for Thompson. The Warriors love the 24-year-old Thompson, who is considered one of the league’s most efficient outside shooters and improved defenders. After ranking among the NBA’s best in 3-point shooting through his first three seasons, Klay is projected to become an All-Star by those within in the Warriors’ organization.

Advertisement

For the Lakers, however, Thompson would be intriguing option for a number of reasons. He would likely accelerate the Lakers’ rebuilding process much quicker than if the Lakers used their seventh overall pick. The former Santa Margarita High standout is also the son of former Laker Mychal Thompson, who has served as a radio analyst for KSPN-710 AM for the past 11 years.